Patrick Beverley has become a fan favorite. With his veteran leadership and his level of play, it’s evident that Pat Bev plays a vital role on the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Beverley, 33, is the oldest player on the roster, but he plays some of the most minutes on the team (25.7). Although he drives winning right now, Beverley’s availability will be even more valuable come playoff time.
Although his coach-like attitude when sitting on the bench is fun to see, his impact on the court is more important. He’s a calming presence whenever he steps onto the floor. Chris Finch has used him as a “run-stopper” for a while. If the opponents are looking like they might break out on a big 14-2 run, Finch inserts Pat Bev into the lineup. The problem is, when he’s not available to play due to injury, the Wolves kind of have no one to do that. There’s only one Pat Bev, after all.
With Minnesota’s recent injuries, it’s becoming slightly more concerning when you see Beverley’s name on the injury report. At the beginning of the season, it seemed to be a couple of games here and there. Now Pat Bev is coming off his third extended streak of being inactive after an ankle injury sidelined him.
Beverley’s injuries this season have all been lower body, aside from a stint on the health and safety protocols. Lower body injuries have plagued Bev throughout his career, so the Wolves must keep those legs healthy.
Pat Bev is one of the most important players on this roster. His presence in the lineup leads to immediate success. The Wolves are 18-16 when he plays and 8-8 when he doesn’t. But while win percentage doesn’t show significant change, the net rating does. The Wolves have a -2.4 net rating when Beverley doesn’t play and a 2.1 net rating when he does.
That’s why recent injuries put the Timberwolves in a tough spot. If Beverley is such an essential factor in a Wolves win, it’s important to play him. But they also have to be careful not to overplay him in case of injury.
Beverley is one of only 15 players who are at least 33 years old, play at least 25 minutes a game, and has played 30 games this season. Almost every player on that list has injury concerns. Kevin Durant, LeBron James, and Kyle Lowry have all missed extended time this season.
The Wolves need Beverley in the playoffs. They won’t have their toughest defender, veteran leader, and their most playoff experienced player without him. In 2019, Beverley’s Los Angeles Clippers won two games against the Golden State Warriors, which the team had no real business winning.
So, how do the Wolves keep Beverley on the court?
There are two routes the Wolves can go. They can search the current roster to find someone to help take the load off of Beverley’s shoulders, or they can hit the trade market for a defensive-minded guard.
Jordan McLaughlin is probably their best bet if they want a current player to play some of Beverley’s minutes. McLaughlin has played recently, and he looks like he could take some pressure off Beverley.
If he can continue this level of play, the Wolves may be able to avoid the trade market altogether. Finch seems open to playing Beverley with D’Angelo Russell, opening up minutes for McLaughlin.
“We’ve always had a little bit of a gap when you start both Bev and DLo together,” Finch said recently. “There’s always been a gap (in time when they’re both out), so he’s playing in a manner that’s going to fill that.”
If the Wolves choose to go to the trade market, there are a couple of names the Wolves could look for. Josh Richardson is a potential fit. Even if he’s not a typical guard, he plays good defense. The Wolves have reportedly had preliminary talks with the Celtics about a potential Malik Beasley trade.
I think a trade like this could do wonders for Beverley. Richardson is a good defender who could mimic Beverley’s impact on a smaller scale.
Limiting Beverley’s minutes is almost a lose-lose situation. Unfortunately, many teams have to deal with when having older impact players. If he sits too long, he doesn’t make a large enough impact. But if he plays too long, the Wolves risk an injury. Placing a player to bridge that gap between too little too much should be one of the most important items on Minnesota’s agenda.
